NCJ Number
179938
Date Published
July 1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Under the traditional deficit-based approach to community problems, people begin to think of themselves and their neighbors as deficient, as victims incapable of taking charge of their lives; this "needs map" distorts community relationships, weakens communities, and creates a sense of hopelessness.
Abstract
A capacity-oriented or asset-based map, on the other hand, recognizes that even the poorest neighborhoods include the seeds for community regeneration. In communities whose strengths are fully recognized and mobilized, community members can participate in solving problems, not as clients or recipients of aid but as full contributors to the community rebuilding process. Each community has a unique combination of assets on which to build a community map that recognizes physical characteristics and institutional capacities. Three steps in asset-based community development are outlined: (1) community development starts with what exists; (2) community development concentrates on agenda-building and problem-solving capacities of local residents, associations, and institutions; and (3) efforts are needed to constantly build and rebuild relationships between individuals and organizations. 2 figures